Policy And Resources Committee - 14/03/2005

At a MEETING of the PERSONNEL COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 14th March, 2005.

 

Present:-

 

Lord Provost John R LETFORD

 

 

 

BAILIES

 

Helen WRIGHT

John CORRIGAN

Bruce D MACKIE

 

Neil I C POWRIE

 

 

COUNCILLORS

 

Jill SHIMI

Helen DICK

Christina ROBERTS

Kevin KEENAN

Nigel DON

Jim BARRIE

George REGAN

Bob DUNCAN

Will DAWSON

Fiona M GRANT

Andrew DAWSON

Elizabeth F FORDYCE

Christopher HIND

Willie W SAWERS

Roderick A J WALLACE

Joe MORROW

Joe FITZPATRICK

Charles A WEBSTER

Fraser MACPHERSON

 

Derek J SCOTT

 

Lord Provost John R LETFORD, Convener, in the Chair.

 

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 14th February, 2005 was held as read.

 

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

 

I SUPPORT SERVICES DEPARTMENT - ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DIVISION - REVIEW OF STAFFINGSTRUCTURE

 

There was submitted Report No 153-2005 by the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking approval for changes to the staffing structure of the Architectural Services Division.

 

The Committee agreed to:-

 

(i)the establishment of one additional post of Principal Building Services Engineer, graded PO11-14,( 33,195-35,574);

 

(ii)the establishment of two additional posts of Senior Architect, graded PO7-10, (30,177-32,466);

 

(ii)the additional posts referred to in (i) and (ii) above being filled by existing staff whose posts will be deleted at the conclusion of the exercise;

 

(iv)the redesignation of one post of Building Services Technician to Temporary Building Services technician (2 years fixed term) with no change of grade;

 

(v)the deletion of one vacant post of Architectural Technician, graded T1-5, (14,052-25,116);

 

(vi)the deletion of one post of Temporary Building Surveyor, graded AP5/PO8; (23,058-30,948) when this post becomes vacant (within 8 months).

 

II LEISURE AND ARTS DEPARTMENT - LEISURE CENTRES SECTION - REVIEW OF ORGANISATIONALSTRUCTURE

 

There was submitted Report No 155-2005 by the Director of Leisure & Arts and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) seeking Committee approval to implement changes to the organisational structure of the Leisure Centres Section within the Leisure and Arts Department, to take account of significant ongoing service improvements and additional responsibilities in relation to the planning, preparation and delivery of out-of-school leisure opportunities from PPP facilities.

 

The Committee approved the following changes to the organisational structure of the Leisure Centres Section,

 

(i)the establishment of one post of Leisure Centres Officer, graded PO3-6, (27,024-29,421);

 

(ii)the deletion of one post of Swim Centres Officer, graded PO3-6, (27,024-29,421);

 

(iii)the establishment of one post of Senior Duty Officer (Swim Centres), graded T5, (23,058-25,116);

 

(iv)the deletion of one post of Sports Centre Officer, graded PO1-4, (25,623-27,813);

 

(v)the establishment of a post of Senior Duty Officer (Sports Centres), graded T5, (23,058-25,116);

 

(vi)the establishment of one post of Training Co-ordinator, graded T3, (17,364-19,590);

 

(vii)the establishment of one post of Health and Fitness Co-ordinator, graded AP3, (17,853-19,590);

 

(viii)the establishment of one additional post of Health and Fitness Coach, graded AP1, (14,631-15,654);

 

(ix)the redesignation of one post of Swimming Lessons' Co-ordinator, graded T2, (15,249-16,935) to Aquatic Activity Coach;

 

(x)the establishment of one post of Aquatic Activity Assistant, graded GS1-2 (10,365-13,812);

 

(xi)the establishment of one post of Administrative Assistant, graded AP1 (14,631-15,654);

 

(xii)the deletion of one post of Senior Keyboard Operator, graded GS3, (14,052-14,631);

 

(xiii)the establishment of two part-time (27.5 hours) posts of Receptionist, graded GS1-2 (10,365-13,812 pro rata) for a temporary period until 31st March, 2006; and

 

(xiv)the establishment of two posts of Health and Fitness Coach, graded AP1 (14,631-15,654) for a temporary period until 31st March, 2006.

 

III EARLY RETIREMENTS - LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DISCRETIONARY PAYMENTS AND INJURY BENEFITS)(SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 1998

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN87-2005 advising the Committee that from time to time approval was sought to retire employees early in the interests of the efficiency of the service. In such cases, the normal approach had been to award those employees maximum added years in accordance with the Local Government (Discretionary Payments and Injury Benefits) (Scotland) Regulations 1998.

It was reported that the Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive (Finance) and Assistant Chief Executive (Management) were of the opinion that, in view of the substantial costs to the Council and the Pension Fund as a result of this approach, the number of added years should be limited in future.

 

At present depending on length of service and age, the maximum number of added years which an employee may receive is 10. In future, for all early retirements for which approval was sought, it was suggested that the maximum number of added years awarded should be determined by the number of year's pensionable service, as follows:-

 

Number of Year's Pensionable Service

Number of Added Years

 

 

5 but less than 7

2

7 but less than 10

3

10 but less than 15

5

15 and above

62/3

 

This was with the proviso that the maximum service did not exceed 40 years or the service which should be attained by age 65.

 

The Committee also noted that whilst the Council operated a policy of no compulsory redundancy, there might be occasions in the future when approval would be sought for an employee to retire early on the grounds of (voluntary) redundancy. In these circumstances, it was suggested that the same number of added years which would be awarded for retiral on the grounds of the efficiency of the service should be awarded.

 

The Committee approved the abovementioned proposals.

 

IV ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND TRADING STANDARDS - REGRADING OF POST - ASSISTANT CONTAMINATED LANDOFFICER

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN88-2005 whereby reference was made to Article IX of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 20th October, 2003, wherein it was agreed to establish a post of Assistant Contaminated Land Officer, grade AP3, 17,853-19,950. It was reported that since the establishment of the post, the level of duties and responsibilities had increased and, to reflect this, the Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards requested the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) to review the grade of the post.

 

Following this review, it was proposed that the post be regraded to AP4, SCP27-30, 20,211-22,374 per annum.

 

The Committee approved the regrading, having noted that the financial implications associated with this proposal were 2,008 in 2005-2006, 2,769 in 2006-2007 and 3,825 in 2007-2008, inclusive of employers costs, and would be funded from the Environmental Health and Trading Standards Department's revenue budget.

 

V PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT - EMPLOYMENT DISABILITY UNIT - DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN89-2005 advising the Committee that the Jurta Agency from the Czech Republic had sent two representatives to visit the Employment Disability Unit in October 2004, as part of an information gathering exercise.

 

It was reported that the visit had been a success and Jurta had now requested that it be allowed to second two members of staff to the Unit for a period of 4 weeks during March/April 2005. The purpose of the secondment would be for their representatives to increase their knowledge and awareness of how to assist people with disabilities into employment. This would also be a good development opportunity for EDU personnel to share and discuss ideas.

 

The Committee approved this initiative, having noted that Jurta would fully fund the secondments.

VI LEISURE AND ARTS DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF FIXED TERM POST

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN90-2005 seeking Committee approval for the establishment of a fixed term post of Football Development Officer graded AP3/4, 17,853-22,374, for a period of four years.

 

It was reported that a partnership between the Scottish Football Association (SFA), Dundee United Football Club, Dundee Football Club and Dundee City Council's Education and Leisure and Arts Departments had recently been developed to strategically plan and co-ordinate football activities for children and young people in the City.

 

The SFA, with support from Sportscotland, was also in the process of implementing a regional programme of football development in partnership with football clubs and local authorities across Scotland. In order to implement the above regional and local football strategies and programmes in Dundee, financial contributions had been identified from the undernoted sources:-

 

 

2005/06

2006/07

2007/08

2008/09

 

 

 

 

 

SFA

9,910

9,910

8,910

8,910

L&A Dept

7,249

7,386

7,715

7,999

Education Dept

5,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

Coaching Income

500

1,000

2,500

3,000

 

22,659

23,296

24,125

24,909

 

 

 

 

 

Staff Costs

22,659

23,296

24,125

24,909

 

It was anticipated that the Football Development Officer would also attract external funding from a variety of sources, including sponsorship, community safety, antisocial behaviour funds, etc, and the contributions from the Leisure and Arts and Education Departments could be met from existing revenue budgets.

 

The Committee approved the establishment of this post, on the basis detailed above.

 

VII LEISURE AND ARTS DEPARTMENT - SPORTS DEVELOPMENT - REGRADING OF POSTS

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN91-2005 whereby reference was made to Article IV of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 15th October, 2001, wherein the Committee approved a report on amendments to the Organisational Structure of the Leisure and Arts Department. One of the recommendations approved was the regrading of the Principal Sports Development Officer from PO3‑6, (27,024-29,421), to PO5-8, (28,695-30,948), for a fixed term period until 15th October, 2005.

 

In light of a further increase in the level of duties and responsibilities being undertaken by the Principal Sports Development Officer, the Director of Leisure and Arts had requested that the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) review the grade of the post. The revised job description was re-evaluated and a grade PO7-10, (30,177-32,466), reflected these increased responsibilities.

 

The Director of Leisure and Arts also asked that the grade of the post of Physical Activities Development Officer, currently graded AP5/PO4, (23,058-27,813), be reviewed. The postholder was now responsible for managing and leading a number of key section remits that were of a higher responsibility and level. The postholder now also deputised for a Principal Sports Development Officer. The revised job description was re-evaluated and a grade of PO3-6, (27,024-29,421), reflected the increased responsibilities.

 

The Committee approved the regrading of the abovementioned two posts having noted that the additional expenditure of 955 in a full financial year could be met within the Departmental Revenue Budget.

 

VIII HOUSING DEPARTMENT - PRIVATE SECTOR SERVICES UNIT - EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY POST

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN92-2005 advising that in order to enable the Council to meet the objectives set by the Scottish Executive in terms of the licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupancy, the Chief Executive had approved the establishment of one post of Property Surveyor, graded T1/4 (14,052-22,374) for a period of 12 months to 31 March, 2005.

 

It was reported that funding from the Scottish Executive was now in place to enable an extension of the post, and the Committee agreed to extend the temporary post of Property Surveyor, graded T1/4 (14,052-22,374) until 31st March, 2006, having noted that all costs would be met from specific grant awarded by the Scottish Executive.

 

IX LEISURE AND ARTS DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF POST

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN93-2005 whereby reference was made to Article I of the minute of the meeting of this Committee of 10th August, 1998, which established the post of Temporary Music Development Officer.

 

It was reported that the postholder had been very successful in progressing music development in Dundee and was crucial in linking together the disparate elements of musical activity both in the City and nationally.

 

The Committee therefore agreed to establish the post of Music Development Officer (22 hours per week), grade AP3/5, 18,381-25,857 pro rata, on a permanent basis and to confirm the present incumbent in post. This proposal would be effective from 1st April, 2005.

 

It was noted that the additional cost would be 14,811 inclusive of employer's costs, in a full year and could be met from the departmental revenue budget for Arts Development.

 

X EDUCATION DEPARTMENT - ESTABLISHMENT OF POST OF ASSISTANT CHILD PROTECTION CO-ORDINATOR

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN94-2005 seeking Committee approval for the establishment of a post of Assistant Child Protection Co-ordinator, grade PO1-4, 26,379-28,632 per annum

 

The Committee approved the establishment of this post, having noted that the financial implications would be 32,720 in a full financial year, which would be funded in 2005-06 from Scottish Executive monies allocated to implement the new Additional Support for Learning Act (2004) and thereafter from the Education Department revenue budget.

 

XI LEISURE AND ARTS DEPARTMENT - REGRADING AND REDESIGNATION OF POST

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN95-2005 whereby reference was made to Article V of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th May, 2003, wherein the Committee approved a report on New Opportunities Fund - PE and Sport Initiative, which established a fixed term post of Clerical Assistant, graded GS3, 14,052-14,631. Since this post was established, the duties and responsibilities had increased as a result of which, the Director of Leisure and Arts had requested the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) to review the grade.

 

Following this review, it was proposed that the post be regraded to GS3/AP1, SCP13-18, 14,052-15,654 per annum and redesignated Administrative Assistant.

 

The Committee approved this proposal, having noted that the financial implications would be 432, inclusive of employer's costs, in a full financial year, which would be met from New Opportunities funding.

 

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the public be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

 

XII COMMUNITIES DEPARTMENT - EARLY RETIREMENT

 

There was submitted Agenda Note AN98-2005 advising the Committee that an employee in the Communities Department had advised the Chief Executive that he would be prepared to accept early retirement in due course if such an offer was made to him.

 

The Committee approved the early retirement on the grounds of the efficiency of the service on 31st March, 2006 having noted the financial implications. This retirement would be in accordance with the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) regulations 1998 and would be with maximum enhancement in accordance with the Local Government (Discretionary payments and Injury benefits) (Scotland) Regulations 1998.

 

 

 

 

LORD PROVOST John R Letford, Convener.